KGI:iPhone8toFeatureAll-GlassDesigninOrdertoSupportWirelessCharging

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to add wireless charging for the first time in the next-generation iPhone.

Instead of plugging in a Lightning cable, iPhone 8 owners will apparently be able to charge their phones using an inductive pad similar to the Apple Watch. The report says that Apple’s switch to an “all-glass” body will enable wireless charging at faster speeds with minimum disruption from frequency interference.

We believe one of the reasons why new iPhones will switch from metal casing to glass casing is to support wireless charging. In order to ensure a superior performance, we believe it is most appropriate for EMS suppliers to develop and make the wireless charger because then a comprehensive test can be conducted. As Hon Hai needs to deploy most resources to develop and produce OLED iPhone, we expect Pegatron will be the exclusive supplier of the wireless charger.

The report also says that Apple may not bundle a wireless charger with every model, but rather limit it to a more expensive model, perhaps the model with the OLED display. Regardless, Kuo expects Apple to adopt wireless charging aggressively into 2018.

Reports that Apple has been exploring wireless charging first appeared back in early January, when it was rumored that Apple would adopt wireless charging that could charge from short distances. Whether that remains to be true is still unknown.